Rotary orchard heater



Jan. 26, 1965 s. VAN CLEAVE 3,166,367

ROTARY ORCHARD HEATER Filed Oct. 4, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 6.9 Fig.

Gran 2 Van Clea a 1 N VEN TOR.

BY M

MW mg,

Jan. 26, 1965 G. VAN CLEAVE ROTARY ORCHARD HEATER Filed 001;. 4, 1962 III:

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Gram Van Cleave ZNVENTOR.

BY Em 1965 G. VAN CLEAVE 3,16 ,867

ROTARY ORCHARD HEATER Filed Oct. 4, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 7

/2 o Gram Van Cleave INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,166,867 ROTARY ORCHARD HEATER Grant Van Cleave, Rte. 3, Wapato, Wash. Filed Oct. 4, 1962, Ser. No. 228,351 10 Claims. (Cl. 47-2) This invention comprises a novel and useful rotary orchard heater and more particularly pertains to a space heater which shall be very compact and easily transported from place to place where its services may be required.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an orchard heater whereby a burner assembly may be mounted for rotation about a vertical axis for discharging commingled heated air and combustion products horizontally from a vertical axis of rotation and throughout a circular path of movement for effectively heating relatively large open spaces such as those encountered in orchards and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device in accordance with the preceding objects wherein a burner assembly may be rotatably mounted upon the upper end of a fuel drum whereby the drum serves both as a means to rotatably support the burner assembly and supply fuel to the burner elements thereof.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a space heater in accordance with the preceding objects which shall include means for mounting the same upon the implement lift of a conventional farm tractor whereby to render the device extremely portable.

Still another purpose of the invention is to provide a space heater having improved means for mounting upon theupper end of a fuel drum a rotatable burner assembly including a carriage and burner elements and mounted for rotation about a vertical axis extending through the fuel drum together with the mounting of a power source upon such carriage which power source serves simultaneously to drive a fan supplying air to the burner elements, operates a fuel pump for delivering fuel from the drum to the burner elements, and further drives connecting means attached to the drum for effecting rotation of the carriage and theburner assembly about the drum.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the orchard and space heater in accordance with this invention, one of the burner elements being shown in dot and dash lines therein and certain hidden parts being shown in dotted lines therein in order to simplify the showing;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1, parts being broken away from and omitted;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal sectional detail view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 44 of FIGURE 3 and upon an enlarged scale and showing in particular the means for rotatably driving the burner assembly about a vertical axis extending through the fuel drum;

FIGURE 5 is a further detail view taken in vertical section upon an enlarged scale substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5--5 of FIGURE 4 and showing in particular the journalling means of the carriage and burner assembly and the fuel supply means extending through the journalling means;

FIGURE 6 is a further detail view taken upon an enlarged scale in vertical section substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6-6 of FIGURE 1 and showing certain details of a burner element forming a part of the invention;

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view of certain of the structural and frame members of the carriage and of the attaching means by which the device is secured to the implement lift of a tractor; and,

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of aportion of a conventional farm tractor and the implement lift thereof and showing the manner in which the space heater of this invention is attached thereto for portability.

Referring first to FIGURE 8 it will be noted that numeral 10 designates generally the orchard and space heater forming the subject matter of this invention and which as shown in this figure is carried by an attaching means indicated generally by the numeral 12 and which is connected to the implement lift of a conventional farm tractor, a portion of the latter being shown and indicated generally by the numeral 14. Inasmuch as the structural details of the farm tractor and of the implement lift thereof form no part of the invention set forth and claimed hereinafter, and are well understood by those skilled in the art, a further description of the same is unnecessary except in connection with a description of the manner in which the attaching means 12, shown best in FIGURE 7, is connected to certain conventional portions of the implement lift of the tractor in a manner to be subsequently set forth.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURE 3, it will be observed that the orchard and space heaterlll includes as distinct sub-assemblies or components thereof a burner assembly designated generally by the numeral 16 and a convent ional cylindrical fuel drum 18'. It is the structure of the burnerassembly and its specific coaction with the fuel drumwhich form essential features of the invention set forth and claimed hereinafter.

Referring next primarily to FIGURES 1, 3 and 7, it will be noted that the burner assembly 16 includes a supporting framework which serves to rotatably support the assembly and also to mount the various mechanisms associated therewith. The burner assembly thus includes a carriage 2%) which although shown as of rectangular configuration may be of any other desired shape andof any suitable construction. This carriage provides and constitutes a substantially horizontally extending base adapted to be mounted upon and journaled for rotating movement upon and above the top of the drum 18 in a manner to be subsequently set forth. The carriage includes a transversely extending plate-like member 22 having a vertically extending bushing or sleeve 24 welded or otherwise rigidly attached thereto, welding being shown at 26 in FIGURE 5. The plate 22 and the bushing 24 constitute journaling means on the carriage for rotatably journaling and supporting the latter as set forthv hereinafter.

The carriage further includes a shelf, plate or platform 2 8 which may be provided with a further laterally projecting extension plate or shelf 39. The members 28 and 3t serve to support thereon various elements of the burner assembly which are carried by and mounted upon the carriage for movement therewith.

The support framework of the burner assembly in addition to the carriage includes a bracket indicated generally by the numeral 32. This bracket is of L-shape configuration including a vertically extending U-shaped member 34 and ahorizontally extending portion 36. The member 34 includes a transverse horizontally extending upper member 38 adapted to be welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the edge of the carriage 20 and from the opposite ends of the member 38 are a pair of parallel downwardly extending legs 40 which complete'the U- which the burner nozzle is connected. apparent that atomized fuel is discharged from the nozzle shaped portion. The horizontal portion 36 includes a pair of horizontally extending arms 42, which at their inward extremities are integrally or otherwise rigidly secured to the lower ends of the legs 40 and which are convergent towards their outer ends which latter are angularly upturned to provide end portions 44. These end portions are rigidly connected as by a crossbar 46 which latter has a pair of parallel horizontally disposed members 48 secured thereto which last mentioned members comprise a platform or shelf for a. purpose to be subsequently apparent. As will be observed from FIGURE 7, each of the members of the bracket 32 may be formed of angle members.

Mounted upon each of the members 48 is a high pressure burner element 50, each of which as shown in FIGURE 6 comprises a cylindrical tube or sleeve which may be secured to the members 48 as by fastening bolts 52 or the like. A support 54 is positioned along the central axis of the member 50, being apertured as at 56 to receive therethrough the horizontally extending end portion 58 of an L-shaped pipe having a vertical portion 64 Rotatably journaled upon the horizontal portion 53 is a freely rotatable fan blade 62 which is rotated by and thus serves to impart a swirling action to a stream of air passing through the burner element body 50 as set forth hereinafter. The extremity of the horizontal portion 58 is provided with a diffuser or spray nozzle 64 which is positioned axially of the passage and discharges into the passage as a spray or mist fuel supplied to this nozzle head by a conduit 66 extending upwardly into the burner element body 50 and being secured thereto as by fastening nuts 68. The conduit 66 of course communicates with the vertical portion 69 of the L-shaped conduit to It will thus be axially of the passage through the burner element housing 50.

Fuel is supplied by means of conduits 70 which extend through the bracket, lying within the angle of the angle members 42 and which are connected to a suitable source of fuel supply as set forth hereinafter and to the conduit 66.

Fixedly but removably mounted upon the carriage member 28, see FIGURE 3, is a suitable source of power such as an internal combustion engine indicated generally by the numeral 80. It will be understood, however, that in some instances other power sources may be utilized.

The source of power is connected to a transmission and reduction gearing assembly indicated generally at 63, the details of which form no part of the present invention. This assembly has a power output shaft 65 upon which is secured an air fan 67 which is thus mounted upon the carriage and is operated to direct a stream of air into the adjacent ends of the burner elements 59. This air, commingling with the products of combustion in the burner housing 50, is thus discharged with the products of combustion as heating gases in a direction which is horizontally and outwardly directed relative to the drum 1% so that the heated gases thus produced may be discharged radially outwardly from the drum and upon rotation of the burner assembly 16 will be delivered in a circular path about the drum. Thus the heated gases will be discharged in all directions from the heater to thus most effectively and evenly heat a relatively large space such as that found in an orchard.

Also mounted upon the carriage or bracket 32 in any suitable manner is a protective guard or screen 69 which encloses the fan 67.

A fuel pump of any conventional design indicated generally by the numeral '71 is mounted upon the extension 31) of the carriage and by a belt and pulley drive as suggested at '72 is driven from the source of power so. Also connected to the reduction gearing assembly is a further power output shaft 74 projecting downwardly therefrom and to the exterior of the drum 1%, and having a driving pulley 76 thereon. A driving means consisting of the shaft 74, the driving pulley 76, and a driving belt 78, which latter as shown in FIGURE 4 embraces the periphery of the drum constitute a driving means whereby power from the power plant is applied to the carriage of the burner assembly to effect rotation of the latter about the stationary drum.

Reference is now made again to FIGURE 5 for a better understanding of the means for journaling the burner assembly for rotation upon the drum. The drum is preferably provided with the usual top or end Wall 81 having the usual screw threaded opening 82 therein for the reception of a discharge spout, a filling plug or the like. Extending through this spout into the interior of the drum and secured to the end Wall 81 in fixed position as by means of the locknuts 84 is a vertical tubular standard 86. This standard extends through a diametrically disposed crossbar 88 which is welded or otherwise secured to the top rim of the drum and which is apertured as at 96 for passage of the standard therethrough. A tubular sleeve or bushing 92 encircles the standard and has an annular base flange 94 at its lower end which rests upon and is welded to the member 88. The previously mentioned bushing sleeve 24 secured to the carriage cross member 22 thus encircles and is journaled upon the bushing $2, with the carriage cross member 22 resting upon and thus supporting the weight of the carriage upon the flange 94.

Although it is preferred that the standard 86 shall be disposed upon the vertical central axis of the drum, it is obvious that it may be disposed upon any other vertical axis which lies within the interior of the fuel drum. In this manner, the entire burner assembly is supported by its carriage for rotation about a vertical axis extending through the standard 86 and for rotation about the drum.

Although the device is primarily intended to effect rotation throughout 360 degrees about a vertical axis, it is obvious that an oscillatory rotary movement limited to less than 360 degrees may in some instances be utilized by appropriate control of the source of power or the driving connection between the source of power and the drum.

The means for supplying fuel to the burner assembly includes the previously mentioned conduits 66, '70, the connection of the latter to the discharge side of the fuel pump 71 and the connection of the intake side of the fuel pump to a conduit 96 which extends through the standard 8% and into the interior of a fuel barrel for withdrawing fuel from the latter by the action of the fuel pump.

It will thus be apparent that the journaling connection serves both as a means to support and to permit rotation of the burner assembly upon the barrel and also as a means to facilitate withdrawal of fuel from the fuel barrel for supplying to the burner elements. Further, the power source serves the plural functions of rotating the air supplying fan 67, operating the fuel pump and effecting rotation of the burner assembly about the barrel.

Referring now more particularly to the attaching or mounting means 12, it will be noted that this includes a lower generally rectangular or square open frame 100 having an inwardly extending horizontal flange 102 which is adapted to engage the underside of and support the rim of the barrel 18 thereon. Rising from the frame it) are vertical members 104- which at their upper ends are secured to a clamping band 10d. The latter is provided with a clamping means such as a nut and bolt assembly 108 by which the band may be compressively engaged about the barrel as shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 8. Thus, the barrel is supported at its lower edge and is gripped at its mid-portion to hold the same securely upon the attaching means 12. The attaching means at its upper end is provided with a pair of laterally projecting pintles or trunnions lit) which are adapted to be engaged in the extremities of the usual lift arms 112 of the implement lift of the tractor, while the stabilizer bar 114 of the implement lift is pivotally connected to the fastener 108. Thus a three-point suspension of the attaching means 12 to the implement lift is provided ensuring a stable and nontilting lifting of the attachment and thus of the barrel secured thereto by the power operating implement lift means of the tractor. In this manner the entire device may be readily picked up by the implement lift of the tractor and conveyed to a location where its use is desired and then by disengagement of the members 114 and 112, the unit will be allowed to remain in place for operation as suggested in FIGURES 2 and 3 until its removal to other locations is again desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An orchard heater comprising a vertically extending fuel drum, a horizontally extending carriage projecting laterally beyond said drum, means journaling said carriage at the upper end of said drum and thereabove for rotation about a vertical axis extending through the drum, a fuel burner mounted upon said carriage and laterally offset from said drum, a fan mounted upon said carriage and positioned for directing a stream of air to said fuel burner and an unobstructed commingled stream of combustion products from said fuel burner outwardly from said axis, means including a vertical conduit supplying fuel from said drum to said burner, a source of power mounted on said carriage and connected to said fan, driving means connected to said source of power and establishing a positive connection to said drum at the opposite side of said fan from said burner for causing rotation of said carriage and effecting discharge of commingled combustion products and air in a circle and outwardly from said axis.

2. The combination of claim 1 including carrying means for attaching said drum to a tractor implement lift for transportation and lifting of said drum.

3. An orchard heater comprising a fuel drum, means for attaching said drumto a tractor implement lift for movement thereby, a carriage, means supporting and journaling said carriage on said drum and above the latter for rotation about a vertical axis extending through the drum, means on said carriage for generating a stream of heated gases and discharging them outwardly from said axis, means on said carriage and including a flexible member connected to and having a point of contact which travels about said drum for causing rotation of said carriage about saidvertical axis, said supporting and journaling means comprising a standard fixedly secured to and projecting vertically of said drum, said carriage having a journal bearing embracingly engaged upon and seated on said standard.

4. The combination of claim 3 including a cross plate fixedly secured to the upper end of said drum and to which said standard is fixedly secured.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said generating means includes a fuel conduit extending rotatably through said standard and into said drum.

6. The combination of claim 3 wherein said driving means flexible member includes a belt embracing the exterior of said drum and engaged by a driving pulley connected to said source of power.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said generator includes an air fan mounted upon said carriage and connected to said source of power.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said driving means includes a vertical shaft supported by and depending beneath said carriage and connected to said source of power, a flexible connection encircling said vertical shaft and the exterior circumference of said drum.

9. The combination of claim 3 including a bracket on said carriage, said heated gases generating means References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,598,544 5/52 Holman et al. 472 2,632,978 3/53 Fetrow et al. 472 2,972,208 2/61 Martin 472 3,003,282 10/61 Davies 472 ABRAHAM G. STONE, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ORCHARD HEATER COMPRISING A VERTICALLY EXTENDING FUEL DRUM, A HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING CARRIAGE PROJECTING LATERALLY BEYOND SAID DRUM, MEANS JOURNALING SAID CARRIAGE AT THE UPPER END OF SAID DRUM AND THEREABOVE FOR ROTATION ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS EXTENDING THROUGH THE DRUM, A FUEL BURNER MOUNTED UPON SAID CARRIAGE AND LATERALLY OFFSET FROM SAID DRUM, A FAN MOUNTED UPON SAID CARRIAGE AND POSITIONED FOR DIRECTION A STREAM OF AIR TO SAID FUEL BURNER AND AN UNOBSTRUCTED COMMINGLED STREAM OF COMBUSTION PRODUCTS FROM SAID FUEL BURNER OUTWARDLY FROM SAID AXIS, MEANS INCLUDING A VERTICAL CONDUIT SUPPLYING FUEL FROM SAID DRUM TO SAID BURNER, A SOURCE OF POWER MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE AND CONNECTED TO SAID FAN, DRIVING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID SOURCE OF POWER AND ESTABLISHING A POSITIVE CONNECTED TO SAID DRUM AT THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID FAN FROM SAID BURNER FOR CAUSING ROTATION OF SAID CARRIAGE AND EFFECTING DISCHARGE OF COMMINGLED COMBUSTION PRODUCES AND AIR IN A CIRCLE AND OUTWARDLY FROM SAID AXIS. 